PSYC 350 PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS WITH
ANSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS
| American Public University
1. Select the most accurate clinical concept. Which diagnosis or concept best fits this presentation? A patient
with severe hallucinations begins medication targeting psychosis while clinicians monitor metabolic and
movement-related side effects.
A. antipsychotic medication
B. schizophreniform disorder
C. schizophrenia
D. schizoaffective disorder
Correct Answer: A. antipsychotic medication
Explanation: The defining pattern is most consistent with antipsychotic medication: medication used primarily to
reduce psychotic symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations, with monitoring for adverse effects. The
distractors share some surface features but do not match the central pattern.
2. When reviewing the following case, which conclusion is the most defensible based on the information
provided? Two weeks after a serious crash, a person has intrusive memories, dissociation, avoidance, and
marked arousal that began after the event.
A. The pattern most strongly supports dissociative subtype of PTSD.
B. The pattern most strongly supports acute stress disorder.
C. The pattern most strongly supports negative alterations in cognition and mood.
D. The pattern most strongly supports prolonged exposure therapy.
Correct Answer: B. The pattern most strongly supports acute stress disorder.
Explanation: Acute stress disorder is the best conclusion because the presentation matches a trauma-related
syndrome beginning after exposure to severe trauma and lasting from several days up to about one month. A full
real-world assessment would still evaluate medical, substance-related, developmental, and cultural alternatives
where relevant.
3. Which underlying principle or clinical feature best accounts for the key finding in this case? Despite
months of evidence-based instruction, a student continues to have marked difficulty accurately reading
words and spelling.
A. autism spectrum disorder
B. intellectual disability
C. Tourette disorder
D. specific learning disorder
Correct Answer: D. specific learning disorder
Explanation: The key feature points to specific learning disorder, meaning persistent difficulty learning and using
academic skills despite targeted help, with performance substantially below expectations. This identifies the
primary mechanism or syndrome rather than a less specific accompanying feature.
,4. Which diagnosis or concept best fits this presentation? A therapist helps a patient limit time awake in bed,
keep a consistent wake time, and modify catastrophic beliefs about sleep. Focus on the feature that most
clearly distinguishes the alternatives.
A. REM sleep behavior disorder
B. circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorder
C. restless legs syndrome
D. cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia
Correct Answer: D. cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia
Explanation: The defining pattern is most consistent with cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia: a first-line
behavioral treatment combining strategies such as stimulus control, sleep restriction, cognitive work, and sleep
scheduling. The distractors share some surface features but do not match the central pattern.
5. When reviewing the following case, which conclusion is the most defensible based on the information
provided? A patient reports ejaculation very soon after penetration on most occasions and significant distress
about lack of control.
A. The pattern most strongly supports gender dysphoria.
B. The pattern most strongly supports premature ejaculation.
C. The pattern most strongly supports sexual interest arousal difficulty.
D. The pattern most strongly supports erectile disorder.
Correct Answer: B. The pattern most strongly supports premature ejaculation.
Explanation: Premature ejaculation is the best conclusion because the presentation matches a persistent pattern of
ejaculation occurring sooner than desired with minimal stimulation and associated distress. A full real-world
assessment would still evaluate medical, substance-related, developmental, and cultural alternatives where
relevant.
6. Select the most accurate clinical concept. A clinician is differentiating several related possibilities. Which
interpretation most precisely classifies the following case? A client simultaneously meets requirements for a
depressive disorder and an anxiety disorder.
A. differential diagnosis - systematically distinguishing among conditions that can produce similar symptoms
B. mental status examination - a structured clinical appraisal of appearance, behavior, speech, mood, thought
processes, perception, cognition, insight, and judgment
C. self-report measure - an assessment in which individuals describe their own symptoms, thoughts, emotions,
or behaviors
D. comorbidity - the co-occurrence of two or more diagnosable conditions in the same individual
Correct Answer: D. comorbidity - the co-occurrence of two or more diagnosable conditions in the same
individual
Explanation: The case is best classified as comorbidity because its central feature is the co-occurrence of two or
more diagnosable conditions in the same individual. The other options describe distinct clinical patterns.
,7. A clinician is differentiating several related possibilities. Which interpretation most precisely classifies the
following case? A supervisor becomes so focused on rules, lists, and perfect details that projects are
repeatedly delayed and delegation is difficult.
A. dependent personality disorder - a pervasive and excessive need to be cared for that leads to submissive,
clinging behavior and fears of separation
B. narcissistic personality disorder - a pervasive pattern of grandiosity, need for admiration, and lack of
empathy
C. obsessive-compulsive personality disorder - a pervasive pattern of preoccupation with orderliness,
perfectionism, and control at the expense of flexibility and openness
D. borderline personality disorder - a pervasive pattern of instability in relationships, self-image, and affect
together with marked impulsivity
Correct Answer: C. obsessive-compulsive personality disorder - a pervasive pattern of preoccupation with
orderliness, perfectionism, and control at the expense of flexibility and openness
Explanation: The case is best classified as obsessive-compulsive personality disorder because its central feature is
a pervasive pattern of preoccupation with orderliness, perfectionism, and control at the expense of flexibility and
openness. The other options describe distinct clinical patterns.
8. Select the most accurate clinical concept. Which underlying principle or clinical feature best accounts for
the key finding in this case? A person consistently interprets ambiguous setbacks as evidence of personal
failure and expects future events to go badly.
A. diathesis-stress model
B. epigenetic regulation
C. expressed emotion
D. cognitive vulnerability
Correct Answer: D. cognitive vulnerability
Explanation: The key feature points to cognitive vulnerability, meaning habitual beliefs or information-processing
patterns that increase susceptibility to psychological symptoms. This identifies the primary mechanism or
syndrome rather than a less specific accompanying feature.
9. Which concept is best defined as recurrent skin picking that causes lesions together with repeated attempts
to reduce or stop the behavior?
A. excoriation disorder
B. obsessive-compulsive disorder
C. body dysmorphic disorder
D. obsession
Correct Answer: A. excoriation disorder
Explanation: Excoriation disorder refers to recurrent skin picking that causes lesions together with repeated
attempts to reduce or stop the behavior. The alternatives name different constructs within the same clinical area.
, 10. A clinician is differentiating several related possibilities. Which interpretation most precisely classifies
the following case? After each normal test, a patient feels relief for one day and then urgently seeks another
evaluation for the same feared disease.
A. factitious disorder - intentional falsification or induction of symptoms in the absence of obvious external
rewards, associated with adopting the sick role
B. psychological factors affecting medical conditions - psychological or behavioral factors that adversely
influence the course, treatment, or risk of a genuine medical condition
C. iatrogenic reinforcement - unintended strengthening of illness behavior through repeated tests, attention, or
responses from health systems
D. reassurance seeking - repetitive requests for medical confirmation that temporarily reduce anxiety but can
maintain health preoccupation
Correct Answer: D. reassurance seeking - repetitive requests for medical confirmation that temporarily reduce
anxiety but can maintain health preoccupation
Explanation: The case is best classified as reassurance seeking because its central feature is repetitive requests for
medical confirmation that temporarily reduce anxiety but can maintain health preoccupation. The other options
describe distinct clinical patterns.
11. When reviewing the following case, which conclusion is the most defensible based on the information
provided? A treatment team works simultaneously with an adolescent's caregivers, school, peer network, and
community supports to reduce serious offending.
A. The pattern most strongly supports oppositional defiant disorder.
B. The pattern most strongly supports multisystemic intervention.
C. The pattern most strongly supports conduct disorder.
D. The pattern most strongly supports pyromania.
Correct Answer: B. The pattern most strongly supports multisystemic intervention.
Explanation: Multisystemic intervention is the best conclusion because the presentation matches an intensive
approach addressing interacting family, peer, school, and community factors that maintain serious adolescent
behavior problems. A full real-world assessment would still evaluate medical, substance-related, developmental,
and cultural alternatives where relevant.
12. Which diagnosis or concept best fits this presentation? A researcher studies why some trauma survivors
later report detachment, memory fragmentation, and identity-related symptoms while others do not.
A. derealization
B. depersonalization
C. dissociative amnesia
D. trauma association
Correct Answer: D. trauma association
Explanation: The defining pattern is most consistent with trauma association: the common but not universal
association between severe trauma and later dissociative symptoms. The distractors share some surface features but
do not match the central pattern.
ANSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS
| American Public University
1. Select the most accurate clinical concept. Which diagnosis or concept best fits this presentation? A patient
with severe hallucinations begins medication targeting psychosis while clinicians monitor metabolic and
movement-related side effects.
A. antipsychotic medication
B. schizophreniform disorder
C. schizophrenia
D. schizoaffective disorder
Correct Answer: A. antipsychotic medication
Explanation: The defining pattern is most consistent with antipsychotic medication: medication used primarily to
reduce psychotic symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations, with monitoring for adverse effects. The
distractors share some surface features but do not match the central pattern.
2. When reviewing the following case, which conclusion is the most defensible based on the information
provided? Two weeks after a serious crash, a person has intrusive memories, dissociation, avoidance, and
marked arousal that began after the event.
A. The pattern most strongly supports dissociative subtype of PTSD.
B. The pattern most strongly supports acute stress disorder.
C. The pattern most strongly supports negative alterations in cognition and mood.
D. The pattern most strongly supports prolonged exposure therapy.
Correct Answer: B. The pattern most strongly supports acute stress disorder.
Explanation: Acute stress disorder is the best conclusion because the presentation matches a trauma-related
syndrome beginning after exposure to severe trauma and lasting from several days up to about one month. A full
real-world assessment would still evaluate medical, substance-related, developmental, and cultural alternatives
where relevant.
3. Which underlying principle or clinical feature best accounts for the key finding in this case? Despite
months of evidence-based instruction, a student continues to have marked difficulty accurately reading
words and spelling.
A. autism spectrum disorder
B. intellectual disability
C. Tourette disorder
D. specific learning disorder
Correct Answer: D. specific learning disorder
Explanation: The key feature points to specific learning disorder, meaning persistent difficulty learning and using
academic skills despite targeted help, with performance substantially below expectations. This identifies the
primary mechanism or syndrome rather than a less specific accompanying feature.
,4. Which diagnosis or concept best fits this presentation? A therapist helps a patient limit time awake in bed,
keep a consistent wake time, and modify catastrophic beliefs about sleep. Focus on the feature that most
clearly distinguishes the alternatives.
A. REM sleep behavior disorder
B. circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorder
C. restless legs syndrome
D. cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia
Correct Answer: D. cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia
Explanation: The defining pattern is most consistent with cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia: a first-line
behavioral treatment combining strategies such as stimulus control, sleep restriction, cognitive work, and sleep
scheduling. The distractors share some surface features but do not match the central pattern.
5. When reviewing the following case, which conclusion is the most defensible based on the information
provided? A patient reports ejaculation very soon after penetration on most occasions and significant distress
about lack of control.
A. The pattern most strongly supports gender dysphoria.
B. The pattern most strongly supports premature ejaculation.
C. The pattern most strongly supports sexual interest arousal difficulty.
D. The pattern most strongly supports erectile disorder.
Correct Answer: B. The pattern most strongly supports premature ejaculation.
Explanation: Premature ejaculation is the best conclusion because the presentation matches a persistent pattern of
ejaculation occurring sooner than desired with minimal stimulation and associated distress. A full real-world
assessment would still evaluate medical, substance-related, developmental, and cultural alternatives where
relevant.
6. Select the most accurate clinical concept. A clinician is differentiating several related possibilities. Which
interpretation most precisely classifies the following case? A client simultaneously meets requirements for a
depressive disorder and an anxiety disorder.
A. differential diagnosis - systematically distinguishing among conditions that can produce similar symptoms
B. mental status examination - a structured clinical appraisal of appearance, behavior, speech, mood, thought
processes, perception, cognition, insight, and judgment
C. self-report measure - an assessment in which individuals describe their own symptoms, thoughts, emotions,
or behaviors
D. comorbidity - the co-occurrence of two or more diagnosable conditions in the same individual
Correct Answer: D. comorbidity - the co-occurrence of two or more diagnosable conditions in the same
individual
Explanation: The case is best classified as comorbidity because its central feature is the co-occurrence of two or
more diagnosable conditions in the same individual. The other options describe distinct clinical patterns.
,7. A clinician is differentiating several related possibilities. Which interpretation most precisely classifies the
following case? A supervisor becomes so focused on rules, lists, and perfect details that projects are
repeatedly delayed and delegation is difficult.
A. dependent personality disorder - a pervasive and excessive need to be cared for that leads to submissive,
clinging behavior and fears of separation
B. narcissistic personality disorder - a pervasive pattern of grandiosity, need for admiration, and lack of
empathy
C. obsessive-compulsive personality disorder - a pervasive pattern of preoccupation with orderliness,
perfectionism, and control at the expense of flexibility and openness
D. borderline personality disorder - a pervasive pattern of instability in relationships, self-image, and affect
together with marked impulsivity
Correct Answer: C. obsessive-compulsive personality disorder - a pervasive pattern of preoccupation with
orderliness, perfectionism, and control at the expense of flexibility and openness
Explanation: The case is best classified as obsessive-compulsive personality disorder because its central feature is
a pervasive pattern of preoccupation with orderliness, perfectionism, and control at the expense of flexibility and
openness. The other options describe distinct clinical patterns.
8. Select the most accurate clinical concept. Which underlying principle or clinical feature best accounts for
the key finding in this case? A person consistently interprets ambiguous setbacks as evidence of personal
failure and expects future events to go badly.
A. diathesis-stress model
B. epigenetic regulation
C. expressed emotion
D. cognitive vulnerability
Correct Answer: D. cognitive vulnerability
Explanation: The key feature points to cognitive vulnerability, meaning habitual beliefs or information-processing
patterns that increase susceptibility to psychological symptoms. This identifies the primary mechanism or
syndrome rather than a less specific accompanying feature.
9. Which concept is best defined as recurrent skin picking that causes lesions together with repeated attempts
to reduce or stop the behavior?
A. excoriation disorder
B. obsessive-compulsive disorder
C. body dysmorphic disorder
D. obsession
Correct Answer: A. excoriation disorder
Explanation: Excoriation disorder refers to recurrent skin picking that causes lesions together with repeated
attempts to reduce or stop the behavior. The alternatives name different constructs within the same clinical area.
, 10. A clinician is differentiating several related possibilities. Which interpretation most precisely classifies
the following case? After each normal test, a patient feels relief for one day and then urgently seeks another
evaluation for the same feared disease.
A. factitious disorder - intentional falsification or induction of symptoms in the absence of obvious external
rewards, associated with adopting the sick role
B. psychological factors affecting medical conditions - psychological or behavioral factors that adversely
influence the course, treatment, or risk of a genuine medical condition
C. iatrogenic reinforcement - unintended strengthening of illness behavior through repeated tests, attention, or
responses from health systems
D. reassurance seeking - repetitive requests for medical confirmation that temporarily reduce anxiety but can
maintain health preoccupation
Correct Answer: D. reassurance seeking - repetitive requests for medical confirmation that temporarily reduce
anxiety but can maintain health preoccupation
Explanation: The case is best classified as reassurance seeking because its central feature is repetitive requests for
medical confirmation that temporarily reduce anxiety but can maintain health preoccupation. The other options
describe distinct clinical patterns.
11. When reviewing the following case, which conclusion is the most defensible based on the information
provided? A treatment team works simultaneously with an adolescent's caregivers, school, peer network, and
community supports to reduce serious offending.
A. The pattern most strongly supports oppositional defiant disorder.
B. The pattern most strongly supports multisystemic intervention.
C. The pattern most strongly supports conduct disorder.
D. The pattern most strongly supports pyromania.
Correct Answer: B. The pattern most strongly supports multisystemic intervention.
Explanation: Multisystemic intervention is the best conclusion because the presentation matches an intensive
approach addressing interacting family, peer, school, and community factors that maintain serious adolescent
behavior problems. A full real-world assessment would still evaluate medical, substance-related, developmental,
and cultural alternatives where relevant.
12. Which diagnosis or concept best fits this presentation? A researcher studies why some trauma survivors
later report detachment, memory fragmentation, and identity-related symptoms while others do not.
A. derealization
B. depersonalization
C. dissociative amnesia
D. trauma association
Correct Answer: D. trauma association
Explanation: The defining pattern is most consistent with trauma association: the common but not universal
association between severe trauma and later dissociative symptoms. The distractors share some surface features but
do not match the central pattern.
